Five years ago, a book was released titled, “Queen of Katwe.” The book, written by Tim Crothers, received rave reviews. It highlighted the life of a 9-year old Ugandan girl who became enthralled with chess after following her brother to a club meeting. For others it would become a way for a meal, but for Phiona, it would become a passion and path to better life. Indeed. Today, Phiona finds herself on the campus of Northwest University as an incoming freshman.

Robert Katende breaking a coconut in celebration of the start of filming. Director Mira Nair (center) and Lupita Nyong’o (right) look on. Photo courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/maishafilmlab

Two years later, the movie was released September 30th, 2016 with great fanfare, but received a tepid response. Many thought it was a movie about chess. Some thought it was “slum-shaming” while others were disappointed that Phiona’s playing level was only average. None of these groups got it right. This was not a movie about chess, or Phiona’s rise to the top of the chess world. It was a story about triumph.

Now in 2017, she has enrolled in Northwest University, outside of Seattle, Washington. It is an unlikely place for a girl from Katwe, Uganda. She is one of the few from his poor town to attend formal studies. Her life has been changed. Phiona met Elliott Neff, a long-time chess instructor in Bellvue, Washington… just outside of Seattle.

Neff made contact with the Dr. Joseph Castleberry, President of Northwest University, who then offered both Phiona and Benjamin Mukumbya a scholarship to the university. It was a laudable gesture, but the two students could not manage the living expenses. Both were featured in the movie “Queen of Katwe,” but the Disney movie took a big loss at the box office. Both students are seeking to raise addition funds for expenses.